Anode substrate has a great effect on screen-printing fabrication of yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) electrolyte film and cell performance. In this work, NiO+YSZ anode substrate was prepared by a conventional ceramic sintering method, on which dense YSZ electrolyte film was successfully fabricated by screen-printing method. Microstructure of the anode substrate and cell performance were investigated. The optimal amount of addition of starch to the anode substrate was 20wt%. The optimal temperature for pre-sintering of NiO powder was 800°C. A single cell with the NiO powder pre-sintered at 800°C exhibited the highest power density of 0.95Wcm −2 at 700°C.